Fire-resisting structure



C. F MElLINK.

FIRE RESISTING STRUCTURE.

APPucAnoN mzo JULY 19.1920.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

fiIIIlIllIIIIIA Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

7 CHARLES F. MEILINK, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

FIRE-RESISTING- STRUCTURE.

Application filed July 19, 1920. Serial No. 397,274.

T 0 (ZZZ whom, it may concern.

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. MEILINK, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, have invented new and useful Fire-Resisting Structures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fire resisting housings.

This invention has utility when incorporated in metal bound insulation carrying structures, as so-called fire-proof safes.

Referring to the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fire proof safe embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line HII, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fire proof safe joint view similar to Fig. 2. showing enlarged joint recesses or chambers: and

Fig. 4 is a portion of a stepped member.

A fire resisting housing is herein disclosed in a fireproof safe having outer sheet metal wall 1 and inner sheet metal wall 2, as a double walled structure for a chamber 3. An opening 4 to the chamber 3 may be closed by door or closure member having outer wall 5 mounted by hinges 6 to swing the door from the housing 1. This door has an inner wall 7 connected to the door outer wall 5 by a stepped portion 8 interfitting with stepped portion 9 between the housing outer wall 1 and the housing inner wall 2. To dam or impede the travel of heat from without to the chamber 3 by way of the joint at the portions 8, 9-, such joint may carry at the step or projecting portions packing 10,.

11, and 12, which as herein disposed provides chambers or dead air spaces 13, 14, at the joint. This packing 10, 11, 12 may be yleldable. and heat resisting, as asbestos tape, having its surface coated, say with enamel or finished similarly to the re-entrant portions of the joint, and as so assembled not only checks heat radiation inward, but seems in practice to dissipate or otherwise retard heat conductivity along the sheet metal portions 8, 9.

' Further means is herein provided, which in practice has seemed to drive back or check ,efi'ectively temperature rise in the chamber 3. A simple embodiment of this means comprises vents or opening means 15 at the joint. These vent means may be normally sealed is given a definite body with water, molded into position, and then kiln dried out, so that there is left therewith no free water, al-

though it does contain or include H O chemically combined or associated in some hydrate form. After the kiln drying, the walls 1, 2, as a metal sheathing for the filler may be painted, coated, or given the finish, which may normally seal the vents 15 bycarrying thereover the film 16. When subjected to extreme heat, say above 250 F, this heat insulation filler 17 may give off a vapor of steam, creating a pressure of a few ounces between the double walls of the structure and oozing through vents 15, by rupturing the films 16. This moist vapor has a very marked action in throwing back, or resisting inward travel of. temperature rise by way of the joint. While the joint region is of minor extent, these vents may serve as nozzles in conducting the steam as a quenching medium into such joint. With the further provision of the air pocket or chamber 14 as a receiver for the steam, the heat checking value of this vapor is conserved for most prolonged high temperature exposures, as to higher heat and longer duration than the Underwriters Laboratories normal specifications for fireproof safes. These underwriters tests have to do with the temperature rise within the safe when the safe is exposed for a specified interval to definite heat.

F ig, 3 shows joint walls 8, 9, with the filler 17 recessed near the steps to form enlarged pockets or chambers 20, 21. There is thus permitted a greater capacity vapor receiver in the joint for checking inflow of temperature.

This retarding of heat travel has great and a filler for the-housing carrying moisture, releasable by heating for vapor escape into 'said joint, said housing having vent,

means from between the double walls into the joint for the passage of the vapor in its escape into the joint. V

2. A non-absorbent double walled housing provided with an opening, a closure for the opening providing an air chamber forming joint with the housing, and a vapor carrying "heat insulation filler for the housing, said housing having vent means from between the double walls into the joint as vapor escape ways to said air chamber.

3. A double walled metallic housing provideo! with a stepped opening, a closure for the. opening stepped to interfit with the housing opening to form an air chamber therebetween, and a heat insulation filler carrying moisture escapable therefrom to said chamber, said housing having vent means from between the double walls into said chamber for the passage of moisture in its escape to said chamber,

4. A double walled sheet metal housing rgaaeao provided with a stepped opening, a double walled closure for the opening stepped to interfit with the housing opening, packing means coacting at the joint between the opening and housin to seal an air chamber in the joint, and a eat insulation filler capable of giving off water vapor upon heating into said air chamber.

5. A double walled sheet steel housing clearance in the swinging of the closure to- Ward and from the opening, and a filler capable of giving off vapor upon heating to flow into the chamber through the vents.

6. A double walled housing provided with a stepped opening, a closure for the opening stepped to interfit with the housing opening in forming a joint and providing anaair chamber in said joint, packing between the closure and housing yieldable to seal the chamber, normally sealed vent means in communication with the chamber, and a filler capable upon heating to give off a vapor and generate a pressure to unseal the vent means and enter said chamber.

In witness whereof I afiix my signature. CHARLES F. MEILINK. 

